150 PUBLIC SERVICES WILL BE DIGITISED

 Filenews 5 November 2020 - by Eleutheria Paizanou

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating the digital transformation of the state, as a long-term pendulum has become a necessity. The Ministry of Innovation will take urgent action on digital transformation. In particular, the State Department has selected 150 new digital services, which will have the greatest possible impact on facilitating the restart of the economy and the transactions of citizens and businesses with the state.

Digital services are expected to be implemented in the next 18 to 24 months. According to a note from the State Department, on the occasion of today's discussion of its budget, a Digital Services Factory will be created for the implementation of the digitisation of the 150 services. New methodologies for the development of digital services, which will be citizen-friendly and serve its needs, will be implemented. It is worth noting that the Digital Services Factory will be developed in collaboration with the UK Government Digital Service. In fact, a memorandum of understanding with the UK Government is expected to be signed in the coming days. Agreements will also be concluded in order to implement the digital service. The cost, for the next three years, is estimated at around €4.5 million.

Projects €300 million

In the meantime, strategic eGovernment projects in the fields of health, justice and education of €250 - €300m will be implemented over the next five years. In accordance with the strategy established, in order to be effective in the implementation of projects, the infrastructure and equipment for the operation of IT systems will be provided by project contractors. Contractors will be responsible for maintenance and replacement of the equipment.

At the same time, a study is being carried out to define a new procedure aimed at reducing the implementation time of IT projects. The architecture of the government's information infrastructure will also be reviewed. The State Department will proceed with the purchase of services from the private sector.

In addition, in order to modernise the public service, with a view to better serving citizens and businesses, a project manager will be assigned to each ministry, who will have a coordinating role in the modernisation of each ministry. Finally, as part of the modernisation of the public service, the electronic ID bill will be tabled in the House in the coming days.